Contents
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Commencement
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Bills
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Petitions
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Parliamentary Procedure
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Ministerial Statement
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Parliamentary Committees
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Parliamentary Procedure
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Question Time
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Ministerial Statement
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Grievance Debate
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Bills
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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (14:49): My question is to the Premier. Premier, did you or any of your ministers engage in discussions regarding the timing of the ALP State Council meeting in the context of proposed changes to the WorkCover legislation and the appointment of the AMWU union official, Paul McMahon, to the Industrial Relations Commission? As foreshadowed by the opposition in the house on 4 March, the industrial relations and legal communities have raised concerns that a deal had been done to deliver an appointment for a union official in return for an agreement to delay the ALP State Council and any embarrassing debate on changes to WorkCover laws. After the opposition raised the issue, the government brought forward two names to the appointments committee, and then used the minister's authority to make the predicted appointment.
The SPEAKER: Order! I point out that that question is completely out of order. However—
The Hon. M.D. Rann interjecting:
The SPEAKER: Order! However, given that the member for MacKillop has laid allegations in the house, it would be unfair of me not to give the minister an opportunity to respond.
The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:50): They are silly allegations. They are unfounded. They have no basis whatsoever. All the honourable member has to do is lean over and speak to his colleague sitting on his left-hand side. The government put in place a panel. Of course, that panel was represented by Business SA, SA Unions, the Commissioner for Public Employment—
Mr Williams interjecting:
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for MacKillop is warned. Has the minister finished his answer?
The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: Nearly, sir. It was also represented by the shadow minister for industrial relations and the Hon. Bernard Finnigan from the Legislative Council. I met with that committee on a confidential basis to consider the appointment that was made and, to the best of my knowledge, State Council has not been delayed at all.